Beagles and Books is excited to share another edition of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give it a #kidlit focus and encourage everyone who participates to visit at least 3 of the other #kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Focused is a honest and authentic story about seventh grader Clea and her experience being diagnosed with ADHD. From the very first page, it is clear that Clea struggling to keep up with her schoolwork. She can’t concentrate when taking a quiz and leaves answers blank. When completing homework, she finds it hard to manage her time which results in incomplete assignments. Chess is Clea’s passion and if her grades slip, her opportunity to be on the chess team is in jeopardy. Adding more fuel to the fire, her best friend Red dealing with his own family issues is tired of all of Clea’s impulsive outbursts.

Drawing on her own experience having ADHD, Alyson Gerber wrote Focused from Clea’s point of view. I love that readers get a first hand account of Clea’s thoughts and feelings. Initially, Clea puts all the blame on herself and thinks if she just works harder, things will improve. After testing and an official diagnosis, Clea learns that she is capable and intelligent and having ADHD has actually made her more persistent and willing to get back up when she does have a set back. With her new found knowledge and a plan to treat and manage her ADHD, Clea can be in control and begins advocating for herself.

As a teacher, I work with students who have ADHD, but Focused really opened my eyes to the symptoms, effects, and the challenges they face daily. I highly recommend this amazing novel to students, teachers, and parents, for Clea’s story can be a both a mirror and a window to readers of all ages. A very special thanks to Alyson Gerber for sending an ARC to my #bookexcursion group. Focused releases in March 2019.

Walking down Electric Avenue, Robot experiences love at first sight and he can’t get her out of his mind. But once he sees her again, his nerves overload his system which renders him speechless. When Robot finally returns with a gift in hand, she is gone and he is beside himself. Where is she?

Fortunately, Robot decides to return to their original meeting spot where he is reunited with his one and only love. While the reader is provided some clues about the identity of Robot’s true love, it is still a surprise for the reader (or at least me). And don’t overlook the endpapers which provide subtle hints.

Robot in Love is a humorous and heartwarming story that will make you laugh and smile. I am a big fan of McBeth’s artwork having the opportunity to read and review his debut illustrating Stegothesaurus. Using a simple palette of black, grey, white, pink and red, McBeth’s warm illustrations bring life to Robot, for his eyes and body language convey his emotions. I have no doubt that readers will easily fall in love with Robot.

A very special thanks to Christian Trimmer and Mark Podesta of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers/Macmillian Books for sending Robot in Love to my #bookexcursion group. It releases on December 24, 2018.

There are books that tug at my heartstrings more than others and Found is one of those books. A wordless picture book with beautiful ink and water color illustrations, Found is a story about a missing dog, a found dog, loss, love, and hope.

Before the title page, a young girl peers out of her window and sees a little dog lost in the rain. She rescues the scruffy brown dog and brings him into her home. Once the girl opens the door to her bedroom, readers spy a missing poster of the girl’s own dog, Prudence, a photo of them together, and a pet bed hidden under the girl’s bed. Apprehensive, the girl slowly allows the found dog to use Prudence’s things and sleep in bed with her.

By the next day, the girl is clearly smitten with the dog playing with him, taking him for a walk to the local pet store for treats, and hugging him as if he is her very own. On her walk home, she discovers the found dog is actually missing when she sees a lost flyer for a small golden colored dog named Roscoe. While it is not an easy decision, the girl knows what she has to do. And her good deed is rewarded when she learns that although our hearts break for those we lose, our hearts are big enough to love again.

Etta, Bella, and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books. Have a great week!

Beagles and Books is excited to share a new holiday picture book, Tough Cookiewritten and illustrated by Edward Hemingway! Special thanks to Henry Holt Books for Young Readers and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review:

Fans of The Gingerbread Man will adore this holiday retelling with a sweet message. When Sugar Cookie Man is too slow to outrun Fox, readers think Cookie is a goner. Unlike the original Gingerbread Man, Cookie is miraculously saved from being devoured. Much to Cookie’s chagrin, instead of tasting sweet and delicious, Cookie learns from Fox that he tastes terrible and tough. Feeling sad and without purpose, Fox attempts to help Cookie sweeten up. But no amount of eggnog, powdered sugar, and Christmas carols can get the job done. Plan B is Cookie should improve his speed rather than his sweetness so Fox enters him in the Sweet Treat Christmas Race. Cookie experiences yet another setback, for he crosses the finish line last. Cookie doesn’t feel sweet or tough now. Will he ever find his true calling?

Tough Cookie is a heartwarming story about self-acceptance. Cookie assumed he was sweet and speedy and when he realizes the truth, he is heartbroken. Hemingway adorably conveys Cookie’s emotions and feelings through the illustrations as well as the text with phrases such as “And that’s when Cookie crumbled” and “Everything I do is half-baked.” While at first his adversary, Fox becomes a good friend to Cookie in his efforts to help him solve his dilemma reminding him to “hang in there.” Much to Cookie’s surprise, he realizes he is not to be eaten but rather to adorn the town’s Christmas tree as a decoration. So that’s why he has a hole in his head! With this discovery, Cookie’s confidence returns, for he finally accepts himself for who he is.

With its powerful message, charming illustrations, and a fast paced engaging plot, I highly recommend teachers and parents to add Tough Cookie as a Christmas read aloud. I look forward to reading with my students within the next two weeks before winter break. At the end of the book, an added bonus is Tough Cookie recipes-one for sugar cookies and one for ornaments.

About the Author/Illustrator:Edward Hemingway is the creator of Field Guide to the Grumpasaurus, Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship, and Bad Apple’s Perfect Day, as well as the illustrator of My Miserable Life by F.L. Block. He has written features in GQ magazine and comics for Nickelodeon, and his artwork has been published in The New York Times and Nickelodeon Magazine. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Giveaway!One lucky winner will receive a copy of TOUGH COOKIE with a special cookie cutter and recipe card! (U.S. addresses). Click on link below.

Beagles and Books is excited to be part of the Made By Maxine blog tour organized by Rockstar Book Tours. Written by Ruth Spiro and illustrated by Holly Hatem, Made By Maxine recently published on October 9, 2018.

Publisher’s Summary:

Meet Maxine, an inspiring young maker who knows that with enough effort and imagination (and mistakes), it’s possible to invent anything.

Maxine loves making new things from old things. She loves tinkering until she has solved a problem. She also loves her pet goldfish, Milton. So when it’s time for her school’s pet parade, she’s determined to create something that will allow Milton to march with the other animals. Finally, after trying, trying,and trying again, she discovers just the right combination of recycled odds and ends to create a fun, functional–and absolutely fabulous–solution to her predicament.

Review:

From the moment I opened Made By Maxine, I was captivated by illustrator Hollly Hatam’s cheerful and animated illustrations. The endpapers are filled with drawings of scientific elements, DNA, and tools which give us a glimpse into Maxine’s passion for discovery. As soon as readers meet Maxine on the first page, her facial expression shows her excitement for creating new things from old things.

It comes as no surprise that Maxine wants to upgrade her new pet fish Milton’s simple glass bowl to something more spectacular. Her motto is “If I can dream it, I can make it.” Author Ruth Spiro richly and precisely describes Maxine’s creative process introducing young readers to words such as de-construct, re-construct, tinker, hack, upcycle, and repurpose, Hatam’s expressive illustrations reveal Maxine’s range of emotions when inventing. Her face shows moments of confidence, puzzlement, excitement, frustration, and satisfaction.

When faced with the task of inventing a way to include feetless Milton in her class pet parade, Maxine experiences struggle and failure, but ultimately is not deterred. She is loyal to her fishy friend. Wearing her thinking cap (complete with a lightbulb and antenna), Maxine holds true to the quote taped to her wall which reads “Think like a proton. Always positive.” She perseveres to create a fintastic, fintabulous, and fincredible float for Melvin!

Spiro has written an inspiring story of a young girl who is inventive, resourceful and most importantly persistent. While Hatam’s warm illustrations show her family’s support of her projects, it is clear that Maxine’s drive and determination comes from within. Maxine teaches us all that the creative process is messy but the results are so rewarding.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

About Holly:

Holly Hatam’s a girl that sometimes wears something pink and sparkly and sometimes dons capes and fights dragons. Some days she’s moody, but other days she shakes her booty. Some days her heart may seek wild adventures, but other days she just wants to be a couch potato. She is a picture book maker, greeting card designer, and a textile engineer. She is also the #1 New York Times Bestselling illustrator of Dear Girl. Her other books include, What Matters, Tree Song, Maxine the Maker, Jack(Not Jackie) and The Acadia Files.

Holly lives in Whitby, Ontario with her weird husband and even weirder son. But that’s ok, because weird is a side effect of awesome.

Beagles and Books is excited to share another edition of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give it a #kidlit focus and encourage everyone who participates to visit at least 3 of the other #kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Ever since Coyote’s mother and two sisters were killed in an automobile accident, she and her father Rodeo have been living on a converted school bus named Yeager and traveling wherever the road or their stomachs take them. With the discovery that her hometown park is about to be torn down, Coyote must find a way to get back to Washington State in order to retrieve a memory box that she, her mother, and sisters buried there years ago. The trouble is going home is a no-go for Rodeo who wants to leave their past behind.

Coyote though is determined to keep her promise to her mom and dig up their box. She concocts a scheme to steer Rodeo toward home without suspicion. While on route, Coyote meets some people in need of rides who join her and Rodeo on her secret journey home. Since time is of the essence, she eventually confides in all these passengers who support Coyote in her mission. Each individual also teaches Coyote valuable lessons about family, friendship, forgiveness, and finding your own path.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise is a beautiful story that reminds us sometimes we do have to go back to move forward. I do admire Rodeo for his kind and gentle soul but Coyote has my heart. Of course, any character who devours books and names her kitten Ivan in honor of The One and Only Ivan is a soul mate. What I love most about Coyote is she shows great strength in acknowledging her vulnerability. One of my favorite lines is when Coyote says “maybe we’re all a little broken. Maybe we’re all a little fragile. Maybe that’s why we need each other so much.”

A very special thanks to Christian Trimmer and Mark Podesta of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers/Macmillian Books for sending an ARC to my #bookexcursion group. Pre-order now, for it releases on January 8, 2019.

I love finding seasonal read alouds that I can share with students before a holiday. Duck and Hippo Give Thanks is a sweet story that reminds us that true friendship is about accepting others for who they are. To read my full review and enter a giveaway for 3 Duck and Hippo books, click here.

Etta’s and Bella’s Dog Pick of the Week:

Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine main character.

Little Brown is cantankerous dog but the question is why? Is his negative attitude caused by the fact that other dogs won’t play with him or rather is it that the other dogs won’t befriend him because of his crankiness? Readers discover that Little Brown does has an interest in mingling with the other dogs but he clearly is afraid of being rejected.

So what is Little Brown’s solution? Stealing all their belongings and keeps them for himself. The ending is a stalemate between Little Brown and the other dogs and will make readers think and want to discuss. Little Brown is a great read aloud for discussing character motivation and will undoubtedly lead to a conversation about bullying and empathy.

Etta, Bella, and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books. Have a great week!

Beagles and Books is excited to be a part of the blog tour for Duck and Hippo Give Thanks written by Jonathan London and illustrated by Andrew Joyner. It recently published in August 2018. Special thanks to Two Lions Publishing and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Publisher’s Summary:

Duck and Hippo are thankful for good friends!

It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and Hippo has his heart set on having a good old-fashioned feast with Duck and their friends. Together, Duck and Hippo go shopping for food and invite Turtle, Elephant, and Pig to share the special day with them. Then they get everything ready. But while Hippo goes to bed dreaming of his good old-fashioned Thanksgiving, Duck is busy making her own plans. There’s going to be a BIG surprise—one that will remind Hippo of all he has to be thankful for. Join Duck and Hippo for a memorable celebration!

Review and Thoughts:

I love finding seasonal read alouds that I can share with students before a holiday. Duck and Hippo Give Thanks is a sweet story with two simple yet powerful messages. True friendship is about accepting others for who they are, and the best gift is time together with friends.

At my elementary school this year, we are focusing on teaching students a virtue a week and acknowledging students who demonstrate that virtue through their words and actions. After reading aloud Duck and Hippo Give Thanks to a second grade class, I asked “What do you think the author wanted to teach us?” Many hands went up in the air with connections to the previously taught virtues. Here are some of the kids’ comments.

“This story taught me about being kind. Hippo was kind to invite all his friends to Thanksgiving dinner and the animals were kind to bring food to share.”

“I think the author wanted us to know that being a good friend means you don’t always get your way. When the animals brought their own food, Hippo looked mad at first but then he changed his mind and said he was thankful for his friends.”

“The story reminded me of our virtue of cooperation. Hippo and his friends all worked together to make food for Thanksgiving.”

It always warms this teacher’s heart when children can identify themes on their own and can see that books can have multiple messages. I enjoy Duck and Hippo because they remind me of Frog and Toad. Duck is adventurous and Hippo is a little more set in his ways. Together, they are great friends because they bring out the best in each other. Andrew Joyner’s illustrations warmly capture both Duck’s and Hippo’s personalities.

About the Author:Jonathan London is the author of more than one hundred children’s books, including the Froggy series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, which has sold more than fifteen million copies. Jonathan lives in Graton, California. Learn more at www.jonathan-london.net.

About the Illustrator:Andrew Joyner is an Australian illustrator and author whose work has been published in more than twenty-five countries. He has created the artwork for many picture books, and he is author and illustrator of a chapter book series about a warthog named Boris. Andrew lives in South Australia. Learn more at www.andrewjoyner.com.au.

Giveaway!Two Lions is offering a set of all three Duck and Hippo books–DUCK AND HIPPO IN THE RAINSTORM, DUCK AND HIPPO LOST AND FOUND, and DUCK AND HIPPO GIVE THANKS–to one lucky winner (U.S. addresses). Giveaway begins Friday, November 16, 2018 and ends at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, November 23, 2018. Enter by clicking the link below.

Beagles and Books is excited to share another edition of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give it a #kidlit focus and encourage everyone who participates to visit at least 3 of the other #kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

I had the honor and pleasure of being part of blog tours for newly released books over the past two weeks. Some books are still on tour so please click links to read my full review and enter current giveaways. Etta and Bella’s pick of the week is the anticipated follow up to Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, which is one of my favorite picture books.

When an ink blot escapes a sketchbook, he has no idea of the impact he would have on the Rylance family. They are still mourning the loss of their mom and comic artist dad is struggling to write his next graphic novel. Inkling tackles tough issues but gently and with care. Kids will be able to relate to Ethan and his challenges of finding his own path. Sydney Smith’s illustrations are also crucial to the plot. As a reader, I actually felt the presence of Inkling, for splots grace every page. And I never thought I would fall in love with a cute ink blot, but Kenneth Oppel’s characterization of Inkling will make it hard for you not to do the same. To read my full review and enter a giveaway, please click here.

Told from the point of view of 11-year-old Georgie, Love Like Sky is an honest and heartwarming story about family and friendship. What I love about Love Like Sky is Georgie’s voice is so authentic. Young readers will easily be able to relate to Georgie’s struggles but they will also see her strength. While still a child, she is getting older and wants to be treated more like a grown up. Like other kids her age, Georgie’s choices can be selfish at times but she is self-reflective and learns from her mistakes. To read my full review and enter a giveaway, please click here.

Little Dreamers is a companion to Vashti Harrison’s Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History. This well written and beautifully illustrated compilation of concise biographies is a celebration of 40 curious, creative, and persistence women who are role models for us all. Each woman challenged the norm, saw things differently, and wasn’t afraid to ask questions and share their thinking. To read my full review & enter a giveaway, please click here.

Every kid wants to know what their parents do while they are asleep. Well, Duck on a Disco Ball is a hilarious story about one boy who decides to take matter into his own hands and finds out. A lively and back-slapping companion to Duck in the Fridge, Duck on a Disco Ball will continue the laughter and young children will beg for more Duck shenanigans. To read full review, please click here.

Etta’s and Bella’s Dog Pick of the Week:

Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine main character.

For fans of Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, Lisa Papp’s follow up will be a warm hug. Madeline convinces her mom to allow her to adopt one of Bonnie’s puppies and names him Star. Wondering how Mrs. Dimple chose Bonnie, Madeline discovers that Bonnie came from a shelter. Mrs. Dimple invites Madeline to join her at the shelter when she donates supplies. While Madeline can see the animals have their basic needs met, she is still worried. “Does any tell the shelter dogs they love them?” Taking action, Madeline collects towels for the shelter and organizes a read aloud for the dogs.

It is no secret that I have a special place in my heart for rescue dogs and when a story combines my love for reading and rescue dogs, it’s well, perfect. It is quite clear that Madeline takes her job as Star’s caretaker very seriously which is very important to me. Children need to realize that having a dog especially a puppy is a big responsibility. While she has a dog of her own to love, Lisa Papp’s text and warm illustrations beautifully convey Madeline’s genuine concern for the shelter dogs especially a black and white dog named Mr. Chips. Sponsoring a second grade class for #classroombookaday, I love to read aloud books that teach kids that they too can make a difference. Madeline is a great role model for children demonstrating small gestures can make a big impact!

A very special thanks to Lisa Papp and Peachtree Publishers for sending a F & G of Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog to my #bookexcursion group. Pre-order now like me, for Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog will be published in March 2019.

Etta, Bella, and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books. Have a great week!

Beagles and Books is excited to be part of the Inkling blog tour organized by Rockstar Book Tours. Written by Kenneth Oppel and illustrated by Sydney Smith, Inkling celebrated its book birthday yesterday.

Summary:From the acclaimed author of The Nest, The Boundless, and Airborn comes a brilliantly funny, breakout book about a boy who discovers an ink blot that’s come to life! Perfect for those who love Hoot and Frindle and sure to be a hit with kids everywhere!

The Rylance family is stuck. Dad’s got writer’s block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school–even though he can’t draw. Sarah’s still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom. So much more than they can say.

Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance’s sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together–and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything.

Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book–not good–and the story he’s supposed to be illustrating for school–also not good. But Inkling’s also started drawing the pictures to go with the story–which is amazing! It’s just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too–for Sarah he’s a puppy. And for Dad he’s a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It’s exactly what they all want.

It’s not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they–and Inkling–truly need.

Kenneth Oppel has given us a small masterpiece of middle-grade fiction. Inkling is funny and fizzy and exciting, and brimming with the kind of interesting ideas and dilemmas that kids will love to wrestle with. And Sydney Smith is creating wonderfully inky illustrations to bring the story to vivid life. Get ready. A little ink blot is about to become your new favorite character!

Review:When an ink blot escapes a sketchbook, he has no idea of the impact he would have on the Rylance family. They are still mourning the loss of their mom and comic artist dad is struggling to write his next graphic novel. Ethan is shouldering a lot of responsibilities from helping to take care of his younger sister who has Down’s Syndrome as well as illustrating a group project at school. Because of his dad, everyone just assumes that he is a talented artist but in reality, Ethan really hates drawing. Except maybe for stick figures.

Imagine Ethan’s surprise when he discovers an ink blot that is alive! Inkling helps Ethan first by sketching his illustrations and then giving him drawing lessons. Once Ethan’s dad discovers Inkling, he too feels revitalized and relies on Inkling to help him out of his creative slump. While Inkling is happy to assist, he knows that he needs to do something to help the whole family. Something that will help them all heal and remind them that the most important story of all is the one Ethan, his sister Sarah, and his dad create together as a family.

I just love Inkling’s relationship with Ethan. While he has friends, Ethan is lonely. His dad is so distant and Inkling provides that support that Ethan is craving. Although Inkling is drawing for Ethan, Ethan struggles with the fact that he is cheating and asks Inkling to teach him. When Inkling looks faint in color, Ethan tells him to stop working and brings him nourishment in the way of comics, newspapers, and books. An ink blot has to eat right? Inkling is a good cheerleader for Ethan. Recalling words and quotes from the stories he has read (and eaten), he boosts Ethan’s confidence.

Inkling tackles tough issues but gently and with care. Kids will be able to relate to Ethan and his challenges of finding his own path. Sydney Smith’s illustrations are also crucial to the plot. As a reader, I actually felt the presence of Inkling, for splots grace every page. And I never thought I would fall in love with a cute ink blot, but Kenneth Oppel’s characterization of Inkling will make it hard for you not to do the same.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

About Kenneth:I was born in Port Alberni, a mill town on Vancouver Island, British Columbia but spent the bulk of my childhood in Victoria, B.C. and on the opposite coast, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At around twelve I decided I wanted to be a writer. I started out writing sci-fi epics then went on to swords and sorcery tales and then, during the summer holiday when I was fourteen, started on a humorous story about a boy addicted to video games. Photo credit: Mark Raynes Roberts

Summary:From the New York Times bestselling author of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History comes the highly anticipated follow-up, a beautifully illustrated collectible detailing the lives of women creators around the world.

Featuring the true stories of 40 women creators, ranging from writers to inventors, artists to scientists, Visionary Women Around the World inspires as it educates. Readers will meet trailblazing women like Mary Blair, an American modernist painter who had a major influence on how color was used in early animated films, actor/inventor Hedy Lamar, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, architect Zaha Hadid, filmmaker Maya Deren, and physicist Chien-Shiung Wu. Some names are known, some are not, but all of the women had a lasting effect on the fields they worked in.

The charming, information-filled full-color spreads show the leaders as both accessible and aspirational so reader knows they, too, can grow up to do something amazing.

Review:Little Dreamers is a companion to Vashti Harrison’s Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History. This well written and beautifully illustrated compilation of concise biographies is a celebration of 40 curious, creative, and persistence women who are role models for us all. Each woman challenged the norm, saw things differently and wasn’t afraid to ask questions and share their thinking. Because of their determination and willingness to make mistakes, the world is a better place.

Harrison’s extensive time researching is evident, for she includes women from as far back as the ninth century as well as women who are still alive today. She highlights women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the arts and science. While some names were familiar to me such as Marie Curie, Toni Morrison and Maya Lin, I must shamefully admit that the majority of women were new to me, which is why Little Dreamers is such an important book to be read and shared with children.

Little Dreamers is an utterly gorgeous book in its content, design, and message. The format makes the text highly accessible to elementary age students. One page mini biographies are accompanied by a strikingly beautifully yet simple portrait.

The learning doesn’t end, for the backmatter includes an introduction to 18 additional women and resources for readers to conduct their own research. A glossary of terms is also included. Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World is an affirming and uplifting text that should be in every home, classroom and library to educate and inspire future little dreamers.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

About Vashti:Part author – illustrator – filmmaker, Vashti Harrison is an artist originally from Onley, Virginia. She has a background in filmmaking and a love for storytelling. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia as a double major in Media Studies and Studio Art with concentrations in Film and Cinematography. She then went on to receive her MFA in Film and Video from CalArts where she snuck into Animation classes to learn from Disney and Dreamworks legends. There she rekindled a love for drawing and painting. Now, utilizing both skillsets, she is passionate about crafting beautiful stories for children and young adults in the film and kidlit worlds.

“Brims with charm and compassion.”
–Vashti Harrison, New York Times best-selling author of Little Leaders

“Love ain’t like that.”
“How is it then?” Peaches asked, turning on her stomach to face me.
“It’s like sky. If you keep driving and driving, gas will run out, right?”
“That’s why we gotta go to the gas station.”
“Yep. But have you ever seen the sky run out? No matter how far we go?”
“No, when we look up, there it is.”
“Well that’s the kind of love Daddy and Mama got for us, Peaches–love like sky.”
“It never ends?”
“Never.”

G-baby and her younger sister, Peaches, are still getting used to their “blended-up” family. They live with Mama and Frank out in the suburbs, and they haven’t seen their real daddy much since he married Millicent. G-baby misses her best friend back in Atlanta, and is crushed that her glamorous new stepsister, Tangie, wants nothing to do with her.

G-baby is so preoccupied with earning Tangie’s approval that she isn’t there for her own little sister when she needs her most. Peaches gets sick-really sick. Suddenly, Mama and Daddy are arguing like they did before the divorce, and even the doctors at the hospital don’t know how to help Peaches get better.

It’s up to G-baby to put things right. She knows Peaches can be strong again if she can only see that their family’s love for her really is like sky.

Review:Told from the point of view of 11-year-old Georgie, Love Like Sky is an honest and heartwarming story about family and friendship. Georgie is experiencing a lot of change in her life with both of her parents remarrying, gaining a reluctant stepsister, and moving away from her best friend Nikki. When her little sister Peaches gets sick, Georgie initially blames herself. Peaches’ illness actually brings Georgie and her stepsister Tangie closer, for Tangie can empathize with Georgie’s grief. Tangie’s own sister died as a result of injuries sustained from a car accident. While Georgie welcomes Tangie’s attention, Nikki feels threatened and becomes more friendly with Lucinda, a mean girl, which causes a rift between the best friends.

What I love about Love Like Sky is Georgie’s voice is so authentic. Young readers will easily be able to relate to Georgie’s struggles but they will also see her strength. While still a child, she is getting older and wants to be treated more like a grown up. Like other kids her age, Georgie’s choices can be selfish at times but she is self-reflective and learns from her mistakes. Georgie also shows maturity when Nikki is unable to stand up to Lucinda and seeks to help rather than abandon her best friend.

While her family dynamics has definitely changed with her parents’ divorce and remarriages, it is clear that Georgie is blessed with both parents and stepparents who love and support her. One of my favorite quotes is when Georgie says “Grown-ups are human too. It takes time to figure stuff out.” That is true Georgie but never-ending love of family will help you get through those tough times.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

About Leslie:Leslie C. Youngblood received an MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A former assistant professor of creative writing at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, she has lectured at Mississippi State University, UNC-Greensboro, and the University of Ghana at Legon. She began her undergraduate degree at Morris Brown College and completed her bachelor’s at Georgia State University. After graduation, she served as a columnist and assistant editor for Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine.

She’s been awarded a host of writing honors including a 2014 Yaddo’s Elizabeth Ames Residency, the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Prize, a Hurston Wright Fellowship, and the Room of Her Own Foundation’s 2009 Orlando Short Story Prize. She received funding to attend the Norman Mailer Writers’ Colony in 2011. Her short story, “Poor Girls’ Palace,” was published in the winter 2009 edition of the Indiana Review, as well as Kwelijournal, 2014.

In 2010 she won the Go On Girl! Book Club Aspiring Writer Award. In 2016 she landed a two-book publishing deal with Disney-Hyperion for her Middle-Grade novel, LOVE LIKE SKY (Nov.6). She often teaches creative writing classes at Rochester, New York’s literary center, Writers & Books.

Born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and raised in Rochester, New York, she’s fortunate to have a family of natural storytellers and a circle of supportive and family and friends.

Giveaway Details:3 winners will win a finished copy of LOVE LIKE SKY, US Only. Click the link below to enter.

Beagles and Books is excited to be a part of the blog tour for Duck on a Disco Ball by Jeff Mack. It recently published on October 1, 2018. Special thanks to Two Lions Publishing and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Publisher’s Summary:

Bedtime has never been so silly!

Every night it’s the same old story. A boy wants to stay up late, but his parents won’t let him. But sometimes in the morning, he notices things look a little off—like when he sees a disco ball in the kitchen…with his toy duck on it. So one night he decides to stay up. And that’s when the fun really begins.

Silliness builds with each page of this high-energy, pun-filled companion to Duck in the Fridge until the moment when sleep eventually takes hold and morning arrives once more.

Review and Thoughts:

Every kid wants to know what their parents do while they are asleep.

Well, Duck on a Disco Ball is a hilarious story about one boy who decides to take matter into his own hands and finds out. He sneaks downstairs and witnesses his parents back partying with his toy duck and other stuffed animals which have come alive! His parents are bellyflopping and backflipping, eating, singing and even flying.

I love the format which are primarily full page vivid and bold illustrations with the boy’s narration in typewriter text and all dialogue in speech bubbles. During the parents’ late night antics, puns pervade the party. The horse asks “Can I get a drink of water? I’m just a little hoarse.” A duck remarks “Everyone loves donuts” and another duck responds ” Not me. I’m sick of the hole thing!” In response to the parents saying they wanna rock (in other words, sing) a boulder literally crashes into their house and rock puns ensue. In the morning, the boy finds his toy duck and a guitar behind the sofa confirming what he saw was no dream. At the end, the duck gives a cute little wink confirming the late night romp making me wonder what will be his next adventure.

A lively and back-slapping companion to Duck in the Fridge, Duck on a Disco Ball will continue the laughter and young children will beg for more Duck shenanigans.

The silliness continues in the trailer!

About Jeff Mack:

Jeff Mack is the award-winning author and illustrator of Duck in the Fridge; Mine!; Ah Ha!; Good News, Bad News; and the Hippo and Rabbit series. He has also illustrated many books, including If My Love Were a Fire Truck by Luke Reynolds. His books have been awarded the Texas 2×2, a Junior Library Guild award, a Colorado Bell Award, a Pennsylvania Family Literacy Award, a New York Public Library Best Book of the Year Award, and a Bank Street Best Book of the Year award. Jeff lives in Massachusetts. Visit him online at jeffmack.com

Twitter: @jeffmackbooks

Facebook: JeffMackBooks

Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive a copy of BOTH books featuring the silly duck–Duck in the Fridge and Duck On a Disco Ball, courtesy of Two Lions (U.S. addresses). To enter, click the link below.